Here's the 7th annual edition of my Thanksgiving-time list of things for which I am not thankful. You can get to the trail of prior lists here or by using the label Thanksgiving.
As usual, this year's list is in no particular order:
People on social media who believe everything they read, and then forward it, without question.
Superhero movies.
Caitlyn Jenner and her/his so-called courageousness.
Academic professors more concerned about their tenured, taxpayer-supported livelihoods than needed academic reform.
The Ebola virus.
Those who refuse to vaccinate their children because they don't understand science.
Those who refuse to acknowledge climate change because they don't understand science.
The Southeastern Conference.
Bill Cosby.
The end of the Grantland web site.
Another year without medical marijuana legalization.
Tuesday, November 24, 2015
Sunday, November 15, 2015
Vive la Facebook
A few days ago, a coordinated terrorist attack in Paris, France murdered over 100 innocent people and wounded hundreds more. It’s saddening and infuriating, as all terrorist actions are.
What I want to write about, however, is something that happened in the aftermath that I also find saddening and infuriating, in a much different way. It’s the response of Facebook users to this tragedy, and to other man-made catastrophes similar to it.
Within hours of the attack, before we even knew of the true scope of it, Facebook had created a way for users to show their support for France by putting overlaying the French flag to their profile picture. Untold numbers of users have utilized this new feature. Now, this seems benign enough, why would that be saddening or infuriating?
Because the vast majority of those users are only trying to make themselves look/feel better.
I’m not saying these Facebook users don’t care about the victims, or the victims’ families. I believe they do. But let’s get real, 'supporting' them or France by adding a transparent French flag on social media for your friends to see is not making the slightest difference. At best, it’s a self-serving coping mechanism, not to mention a PR win for Facebook. At worst, it’s a faux-show of concern over terror victims, and terrorism in general.
We’ve seen how social media can be powerful tool to elicit social change in the world – in some instances, not for the better. However, no good change whatsoever is going to result from a short-lived symbolic gesture like this. It doesn't DO anything, that's the saddening part.
Here's the infuriating part: Most of these same Facebook users couldn’t point out France on a map, nor name their own elected federal representatives, to whom they’ve actually granted power that might effect change.
No, it’s only a matter of time, probably just days, before these same folks forget about France or terrorism and go back to forwarding stupid animal videos, or posting far right-or-left wing political and religious propaganda. Of course, these things are also without real meaning.
If people want to do something using social media that might actually make a difference to reduce terrorism, or to support the ideals of liberty and a free society like France, they needn't waste time updating a Facebook profile picture. Instead, use the time on social media (or elsewhere) to learn more about the geo-political, scientific, and especially religious issues at the root of domestic and international conflicts and terrorism. Or learn the names of elected officials. You can even learn where France is.
Support and resolution requires understanding. It does not require an updated Facebook image. If this is too much work for Facebook users, well, just keep posting those hilarious animal videos!
What I want to write about, however, is something that happened in the aftermath that I also find saddening and infuriating, in a much different way. It’s the response of Facebook users to this tragedy, and to other man-made catastrophes similar to it.
Within hours of the attack, before we even knew of the true scope of it, Facebook had created a way for users to show their support for France by putting overlaying the French flag to their profile picture. Untold numbers of users have utilized this new feature. Now, this seems benign enough, why would that be saddening or infuriating?
Because the vast majority of those users are only trying to make themselves look/feel better.
I’m not saying these Facebook users don’t care about the victims, or the victims’ families. I believe they do. But let’s get real, 'supporting' them or France by adding a transparent French flag on social media for your friends to see is not making the slightest difference. At best, it’s a self-serving coping mechanism, not to mention a PR win for Facebook. At worst, it’s a faux-show of concern over terror victims, and terrorism in general.
We’ve seen how social media can be powerful tool to elicit social change in the world – in some instances, not for the better. However, no good change whatsoever is going to result from a short-lived symbolic gesture like this. It doesn't DO anything, that's the saddening part.
Here's the infuriating part: Most of these same Facebook users couldn’t point out France on a map, nor name their own elected federal representatives, to whom they’ve actually granted power that might effect change.
No, it’s only a matter of time, probably just days, before these same folks forget about France or terrorism and go back to forwarding stupid animal videos, or posting far right-or-left wing political and religious propaganda. Of course, these things are also without real meaning.
If people want to do something using social media that might actually make a difference to reduce terrorism, or to support the ideals of liberty and a free society like France, they needn't waste time updating a Facebook profile picture. Instead, use the time on social media (or elsewhere) to learn more about the geo-political, scientific, and especially religious issues at the root of domestic and international conflicts and terrorism. Or learn the names of elected officials. You can even learn where France is.
Support and resolution requires understanding. It does not require an updated Facebook image. If this is too much work for Facebook users, well, just keep posting those hilarious animal videos!
Sunday, November 1, 2015
New York City, Part 2
Here's the second and final installment of my New York City trip summary. Part 1 dealt with my overall impressions of the city. This one focuses on the sightseeing aspects of the visit.
Rockefeller Center
Got there early enough to watch some of the Today show being broadcast live, there was even a Broadway show performance for School Of Rock outside the studio. That made the whole thing worthwhile, since there isn't that much else to see or do. Fortunately, the skating rink on the plaza had just been opened, so I got to see that as well, I'm sure it would be better to be there when the Christmas tree is also there and lit. Also walked by Radio City Music Hall, which is just a block away. Overall grade: A-
Times Square
With all of the huge lighted signs, restaurants, theaters, and tall buildings, it had a very Las Vegas feel to it. Picture-taking tourists were everywhere, belying its seedy past. I didn't realize the famous Times Square New Year's Eve ball was in view all year. We mostly saw the area during the daytime, but went back the next evening, when the large crowds and glowing signs gave it even more of a Vegas-vibe. Overall grade: B+
Ed Sullivan Theater / Hello Deli
Just up Broadway from Times Square, I had to go see where David Letterman, and now Stephen Colbert, taped The Late Show. There was no taping that day, ergo no line, but we did go around the corner to buy a sweatshirt at the Hello Deli, and had a nice visit with Rupert Jee, the man Letterman made famous. Overall grade: A
Statue of Liberty
This was a bit of a disappointment, partly because I only viewed the statue from the Manhattan shore. It was great to see it, but the bottom line is, it’s a statue. Did not want to spend the time and money to ferry to the island to get a closer look, and if I did, I’d be as interested to see all of Ellis Island. Overall grade: C-
Wall Street / NYSE
There really isn’t that much to see in the financial district. The New York Stock Exchange is walled off by security, you can’t even go through on a tour these days, so you’re stuck with outside pictures. Touring it, like I did the Chicago Mercantile Exchange and Chicago Board of Trade many years ago, would’ve made all the difference. It was cool to be there, but I didn’t get the feeling it was the financial capital of the world. Overall grade: B
Columbia University
Wanted to check out Columbia, since I know some kids who attended school there. Enjoyed the openness compared to the skyscrapers of mid-and-lower Manhattan. In the end, it looks like a lot of urban college campuses, nothing more, nothing less. Overall grade: C
Macy’s
The largest department store in the world, and it is crazy big. Eight floors of retail items, representing all of the big, expensive brand names. My best story here came from the first floor, where the cosmetics folks present a virtual gauntlet for one to walk through – if you can do it without someone spraying perfume or cologne on you, congratulations. Overall grade: C+
9/11 Memorial Site and Museum
This was definitely the highlight of the trip. The outdoor waterfall memorials, in the footprints of the original World Trade Center buildings, were beautifully done. They included the names of all those who died in the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, including those at the Pentagon and in the aircrafts. The museum itself was awesome, with so many facts and artifacts from that day. It’s a sobering reminder of what happened, and of the loss of so many people in the prime of their lives. I was inside the museum for four hours, and could have stayed much longer. A must see for anyone in New York City. Overall grade: A+
Central Park
An vehicle-free oasis of greenery in a place with virtually none of that. Lots of people exercising, sharing space with many horse-drawn carriages. Also, got to see and have a beverage at the famous Tavern On The Green restaurant. But at the end of the day, it’s just a park (a really, really big park), and after a while, trees and squirrels can get boring. Overall grade: B-
Rockefeller Center
Got there early enough to watch some of the Today show being broadcast live, there was even a Broadway show performance for School Of Rock outside the studio. That made the whole thing worthwhile, since there isn't that much else to see or do. Fortunately, the skating rink on the plaza had just been opened, so I got to see that as well, I'm sure it would be better to be there when the Christmas tree is also there and lit. Also walked by Radio City Music Hall, which is just a block away. Overall grade: A-
Times Square
With all of the huge lighted signs, restaurants, theaters, and tall buildings, it had a very Las Vegas feel to it. Picture-taking tourists were everywhere, belying its seedy past. I didn't realize the famous Times Square New Year's Eve ball was in view all year. We mostly saw the area during the daytime, but went back the next evening, when the large crowds and glowing signs gave it even more of a Vegas-vibe. Overall grade: B+
Ed Sullivan Theater / Hello Deli
Just up Broadway from Times Square, I had to go see where David Letterman, and now Stephen Colbert, taped The Late Show. There was no taping that day, ergo no line, but we did go around the corner to buy a sweatshirt at the Hello Deli, and had a nice visit with Rupert Jee, the man Letterman made famous. Overall grade: A
Statue of Liberty
This was a bit of a disappointment, partly because I only viewed the statue from the Manhattan shore. It was great to see it, but the bottom line is, it’s a statue. Did not want to spend the time and money to ferry to the island to get a closer look, and if I did, I’d be as interested to see all of Ellis Island. Overall grade: C-
Wall Street / NYSE
There really isn’t that much to see in the financial district. The New York Stock Exchange is walled off by security, you can’t even go through on a tour these days, so you’re stuck with outside pictures. Touring it, like I did the Chicago Mercantile Exchange and Chicago Board of Trade many years ago, would’ve made all the difference. It was cool to be there, but I didn’t get the feeling it was the financial capital of the world. Overall grade: B
Columbia University
Wanted to check out Columbia, since I know some kids who attended school there. Enjoyed the openness compared to the skyscrapers of mid-and-lower Manhattan. In the end, it looks like a lot of urban college campuses, nothing more, nothing less. Overall grade: C
Macy’s
The largest department store in the world, and it is crazy big. Eight floors of retail items, representing all of the big, expensive brand names. My best story here came from the first floor, where the cosmetics folks present a virtual gauntlet for one to walk through – if you can do it without someone spraying perfume or cologne on you, congratulations. Overall grade: C+
9/11 Memorial Site and Museum
This was definitely the highlight of the trip. The outdoor waterfall memorials, in the footprints of the original World Trade Center buildings, were beautifully done. They included the names of all those who died in the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, including those at the Pentagon and in the aircrafts. The museum itself was awesome, with so many facts and artifacts from that day. It’s a sobering reminder of what happened, and of the loss of so many people in the prime of their lives. I was inside the museum for four hours, and could have stayed much longer. A must see for anyone in New York City. Overall grade: A+
Central Park
An vehicle-free oasis of greenery in a place with virtually none of that. Lots of people exercising, sharing space with many horse-drawn carriages. Also, got to see and have a beverage at the famous Tavern On The Green restaurant. But at the end of the day, it’s just a park (a really, really big park), and after a while, trees and squirrels can get boring. Overall grade: B-
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